Flood explains that during flooding and partial submergence- typical in hurricanes-light-gauge steel framework can be fully preserved and reused in place. Light-gauge steel-framed structures are also safer for the firemen who are tasked with working a fire emergency in or near the structure. In the event of a fire, light-gauge steel framing improves the amount of time available for egress prior to structural collapse. Metal framing withstands earthquakes, high winds, heavy snow and hurricanes better than wood framing. Any termite or insect infestation is also neutralized by framing with cold-formed steel.” Wood by nature is/was a living entity and can sustain and feed mold and fungus. Also, Dunbar says, “Steel does not weather and will not sustain mold and fungus, which creates an unsafe environment for occupants. Wood may require chemical termite treatments or pressure-treated lumber. It will not require the frequent repairs and replacements that are common to wood components due to fire, rot, fungus, warping and infestations.
#Disadvantages of steel trusses crack#
Steel is also dimensionally stable, meaning it won’t shrink, split, warp or crack this helps prevent costly repairs and additional material purchasing. That certainly cannot be said of wood products.” “As far as durability goes, light-gauge steel is impervious to the elements, bugs and mold.
#Disadvantages of steel trusses install#
Overall, steel has a stronger strength-to-weight ratio against heavier wood.”įlood believes a very important focal comparison point is the “drastically higher part quality found with light-gauge steel: dimensional accuracy, dimensional consistency, straightness.” “These properties clearly distinguish light-gauge steel as a higher quality building product to both install and rely upon,” he adds. “In contrast, steel would be stronger in tension. “Wood is generally stronger in compression due to it being a solid member versus rollformed light-gauge steel,” he adds. Dunbar contends that while there is a perception that steel is stronger than wood, strength is really a function of design loads and both products are designed for the applied loads as needed. Its ductile nature helps it withstand high winds, earthquakes and other stressors. Steel has a stronger strength-to-weight ratio than wood and even flexes with force-one reason for its success on large construction projects. Because of this, Flood explains risk insurance tends to be lower on light-gauge steel projects and fewer safety requirements for fire prevention during framing are necessary. Other cost aspects that are occasionally overlooked comparing these two can include insurance and safety expenses. Less time on the roof can equate to lower workman’s comp rates.”
“Less trusses to install with cold-formed steel equals less labor. “The cost gap gets closed to some extent when evaluating the installed cost of the system,” he says. Same applies to engineered trusses where wood trusses are half the cost, and conceivably less than half, the cost of cold-form steel trusses.”ĭunbar explains that many commercial projects specify cold-formed steel trusses at 48-inches on-center with metal b-deck sheathing, and that wood trusses are specified at 24-inches on-center with plywood sheathing. With regards to engineered products such as wood versus proprietary cold-formed steel joists, wood is cheaper. “It is my understanding that un-engineered wood studs and cee studs are comparable in price. Dunbar, PE, national sales manager at Alpine TrusSteel, Orlando, Fla., says wood prices fluctuate weekly (i.e., random lengths) so he believes a comparison of wood studs versus cold-formed steel cee studs is quite variable. “Steel becomes far more cost competitive in the prefab environment where reduced construction costs are realized through shorter building schedules.”ĭavid C. “In construction projects that are three stories and below, light-gauge steel is rarely cost-competitive on a straight material basis,” says Patrick Flood, executive vice president, Knudson Manufacturing Inc., Broomfield, Colo. Steel is generally more expensive than wood. What follows is a comparison between these two building materials. Both metal and wood framing have their benefits and drawbacks. Wood is light and via stick framing speeds construction with no heavy tools or equipment. Metal framing is cold formed to create long, thin sheets shaped through rollers into guided C or Z patterns capable of holding heavy loads. Light-gauge metal and wood remain two of the most commonly used building materials to frame walls.
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